Walking through the streets of Tokyo,
What kind of places and people will bring us unknown discoveries and creative experiences?
We are now calling for new “sanpo” art projects to join us in our explorations!
The third edition of the Tokyo Biennale is themed " Shall we ‘Sanpo’?” and explores various ways of “Sanpo” – a concept that embraces walking, wandering around, and discovering new perspectives through movement. The “SOCIAL DIVE” AIR OPEN CALL PROGRAM is now calling for projects from around the world to explore with us this theme of ‘Sanpo’.
The mission is to dive into Tokyo (the city) and engage deeply with society (people).
“SOCIAL DIVE” involves artists diving into the different areas of Tokyo as part of an art project aimed at discovering both the unique traditions, as well as new values held by the people who live there.
With the rise of tension and conflict in today’s world, it is our hope that by taking a “sanpo” or walk together that even people who have never met before can get to know each other, develop an interest in the culture of the city, and form a gentle connection. Burnt to the ground twice, once during the Great Kanto Earthquake and once in World War II, Tokyo’s cityscape is made up of the past and present as it continues to develop today. To be able to enjoy a “sanpo” together in this city is a miracle to be cherished.
For this purpose, we need the power of artists with creative ideas and methodologies to build new relationships through “sanpo”.
Walking through the streets of Tokyo, what kind of places and people will bring us unknown discoveries and creative experiences?
We look forward to receiving your new “sanpo” art project ideas that match the originality and social engagement of “SOCIAL DIVE”.
Masato Nakamura
Tokyo Biennale 2025 General Producer
When walking through the streets of Tokyo,
we feel the crowds of people moving quickly towards their destination.
They are indifferent to each other and do not notice the troubles or small sufferings of others. Some may find this distance between people in the city relaxing since facing people head-on takes energy.
Yet, is there not a way to overcome such resignation and easily, gently connect all of us? Does art not have that power?
The theme of the Tokyo Biennale 2025 is “Shall we ‘sanpo’?”
When walking side by side, even in silence, a gentle connection is born.
Walking slowly without a purpose opens up our perspectives and allows us to see scenery we had not noticed before.
Through this art festival, “art” is made up of all the events that we encounter, as they come to life during the course of a walk.
Together we can creatively change the relationships between the people we walk with,
come to notice things we did not know (or already knew), realize what is hindering our mind and body, be able to empathize with others emotionally, and feel that we are not alone, even when we are by ourselves.
Events for anyone, that can be joined as many times as one likes - this new type of biennale where we can take a stroll together with our minds and our bodies is about to begin.
Susumu Namikawa, Min Nishihara, Hiroyuki Hattori
Tokyo Biennale 2025 Co-Directors
May 2 (Fri.) 2025, 23:59(JST)
Artists Residing Outside Japan *Open to all ages over 18 years old
Masato Nakamura
Tokyo Biennale 2025 General Producer, Artist, Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Painting
Min Nishihara
Tokyo Biennale 2025 Co-Director, Curator, psychotherapist, Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Arts, Intermedia Art Dept., Director of Akita City Cultural Creation Center
Hiroyuki Hattori
Tokyo Biennale 2025 Co-Director, Curator, Associate Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, the Graduate School of Film and New Media Dept., Director of Aomori Contemporary Art Centre